The Fallen Star (Star Wars: The High Republic)

by Claudia Gray

Her voice trailed off, no doubt because she was having the same realization Stellan had just reached: “The Nihil attacks weren’t scattered,” he said, sitting up straighter. “They weren’t random. Chespea and Banchii were targeted because it takes several hyperspace jumps to get from here to either planet. This wasn’t a few stragglers lashing out in any direction—it was a coordinated attack.” Leox Gyasi, standing nearby, drew himself upright, registering the terrible news, too. His expression matched Rosason’s tone as she answered, “They didn’t detonate the device aboard Starlight until they knew both the Jedi and the Republic had scattered their forces.” “So much for Lourna Dee being the Eye of the Nihil.” Had Stellan learned this a few days earlier, it would’ve felt like a point scored against Avar Kriss. The power play between them seemed so petty now, so small. Why had he let their disagreement become personal, on any level? It mattered so little compared with the real danger that had descended upon them both. “The Nihil’s true leader is still out there, somewhere.”